“Apple has shown how innovation can drive real progress by removing toxics from its products, incorporating renewable energy in its data center plans, and continually raising the bar for energy efficiency in the electronics industry,” she continued. “I look forward to helping support and promote these efforts, as well as leading new ones in the future aimed at protecting the environment.”

In a long-expected move, Jackson stepped down from the EPA in February after four years of running the agency.

Like many high-tech firms, Apple has taken a special interest in clean energy and climate issues.

Apple made waves in October 2009 — when Jackson was head of EPA — when it quit the U.S. Chamber of Commerce over the group’s opposition to mandating reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Apple had worked to cut its own greenhouse gas emissions “because we believe it is the right thing to do,” Apple wrote in its resignation letter. “For those companies who cannot or will not do the same, Apple supports regulating greenhouse gas emissions, and it is frustrating to find the Chamber at odds with us in this effort.”

Other organizations, including the utility Exelon and Pacific Gas & Electric, also left the Chamber over climate disagreements.

Apple has since built up its renewable energy use, according to the company, and in 2012 got three-quarters of its power from renewable sources, up from 35 percent in 2010.

The company has also drawn praise for its work to lower or cut completely toxic substances like lead and mercury from its products, as well as for energy efficiency and tech recycling.